Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier held a speech at the dinner hosted by the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, on 15 May in The Hague: "It is often a common interest, or a similar approach to tackling new challenges, that unites us. Even when we have different points of departure, we manage to find viable solutions, thanks to a practical and reasonable attitude and a willingness to compromise."

The Federal President held a speech at the University of Fribourg on the occasion of the state visit to Switzerland on 26 April: "There is no doubt that democracy is a tiring system of government, as it is based on compromise and not all power is held by a "strong man". Democracy guarantees every citizen liberties, but also demands that they take on a certain amount of responsibility. That is why I call it a system of government for the brave-hearted."

The Federal President and Elke Büdenbender payed a state visit to the Republic of India from 21 to 26 March. They were received by President Ram Nath Kovind in New Delhi, where the Federal President also held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and civil society representatives. Moreover, they traveled to Varanasi, which is a holy city for Hindus and Buddhists, and to Chennai, which is an important location for German business in India.

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier held a speech on the occasion of the dinner in honour of Horst Köhler on 8 March: "You brought international experience to your new role, as well as an awareness of the considerable and, above all, growing responsibility which an economically strong, politically stable and globally respected country like Germany shouldered – and had to accept – in an increasingly complex world."